Tuesday, August 25, 2015

How Clean Are Your Windows?

A recurring tale shared on social media goes something like
this:

In a neighborhood, the woman of the household
habitually comments to her husband about their neighbors’ state of affairs. As
time goes by, she makes derogatory comments about the dirty windows of one
neighbor and the less than clean laundry on the clothes line of another. Her
critiques of the housekeeping skills of others are consistent fare to her long-suffering
mate. One day after washing her own windows she finds out that the
dirt she was seeing was her own, not that of her neighbors.

How often does rash judgment concerning others jump into our own minds? Do we clearly see our need to clean up our own lives? Or is the lens
through which we see others, covered in grime? Unfortunately, we are often in
need of a thorough housecleaning of our own. The reflection of our own
shortcomings becomes a shadow on our neighbors.

Clean the Inside as Well as the Outside

In Matthew 23:23-26 we are admonished:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you
hypocrites.You
cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.Blind
Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.”

What we present to others is often not a true reflection of
our inner selves. Like the Pharisees, we make certain that our outer image is
pristine. The public face we put on is the best of who we hope to be. Contrast this
to the inner secrets and grime that is hidden from view. Perhaps we aren’t so
squeaky clean after all.

While it isn’t necessary to completely bare our souls for
public view, a virtuous habit to form would be to remain aware of our own
weaknesses. As Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us”. In other words, our own judgment will be measured by
the same stick with which we judge others.

Present a Purely Clean View to Others

If, as it has been said, our eyes are the windows of the
soul, let our lens be transparent and pure. When someone looks into our faces,
let the reflection of Christ’s love be there for them to see. As He has loved
us, so let us love one another.

If we all make an effort to honestly present
ourselves, the scales will fall off of our eyes and we will be able
to clearly see ourselves, as well as others, like God sees us: His creatures, loved by
Him – faults and all – yet always trying to do His will.

Designs by Birgit

Birgit Jones is a 50-something cradle Catholic who is passionate about the Church and the prolife movement. A graduate of Brescia University, she has employed her Bachelor of Art degree in pursuits ranging from Executive Director of Right to Life groups to Field Representative to Congressman Ron Lewis (R-KY).

She has been married to her Catholic convert husband, Rick, for 40 years. They have four children and eight living grandchildren (all age eleven and under). Their frequent visits eliminate any fear of an empty nest!

Birgit can also be found on her personal blog Designs By Birgit and Facebook fan page Designs By Birgit, where she utilizes her advertising and public relations experience to promote Life through her pro-life memes.